Working Remotely from an RV: My Setup as a Freelance Photographer

My van is my home, my studio, and my office. All in 200 square feet. It took a year of refinement to get a setup that actually works for professional photography work. Here's what I've landed on.

The Hardware

MacBook Pro 14" — my primary editing machine. Battery life is exceptional which matters when solar production is low. I can edit for 6+ hours on a single charge.

CalDigit external SSD — all my photo files live here. 2TB, bus-powered, no external power needed. I keep a backup on a separate drive stored in a different location in the van (paranoia born from experience).

12.9" iPad Pro — secondary screen using Sidecar. Extends my workspace without taking up desk space. Also great for client presentations.

The Workspace

I built a custom desk across the back doors that folds up against the wall when not in use. Its 36" wide and gives me enough space for the laptop, a coffee, and a notepad. Not luxurious but functional.

Ergonomics matter when youre editing 4-6 hours a day. I use a separate keyboard and mouse so the laptop can sit at eye level on a small stand. A $20 fix that saved my neck and wrists.

Internet

T-Mobile unlimited for most work. Most of my uploads happen at coffee shops or libraries where I can get reliable WiFi. Large file transfers (delivering 500+ photos to a client) wait until I have strong signal. Ive learned to batch my heavy-bandwidth work.

Power

400 watts of solar, 200Ah lithium battery, 2000w inverter. The laptop draws about 60 watts while editing. On a sunny day my solar produces way more than I need. Cloudy days I manage by dimming the screen and closing unnecessary apps.

The Business Side

I do destination photography — engagement shoots, family portraits, brand content — in whatever location Im parked near. Clients find me through Instagram and word of mouth. I book 2-3 shoots per week at $300-500 each. Not getting rich but paying the bills and living free.

The van life photographer thing is a cliche at this point. But cliches exist for a reason. It actually works.